THE Pukekohe and Waiuku Times PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 1915. WATER MATTERS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 6, 22 January 1915, Page 2

THE Pukekohe and Waiuku Times PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 1915.

WATER MATTERS.

" We nothing extenuate, nor net down auaht in malice."

Ihe Pukekohe Borough Council made another attempt to grapple with the local water problem at their meeting on Wednesday of last week, and after the difficulties of supply had been discussed at an earlier stage io the proceedings Councillors commenced about 10 p.m. to again give consideration to the matter of charges to consumers, their deliberations being prolonged until close on the midnight hour. The result of such a late sitting was that a decidedly important phase of the question of price to be charged for water was overlooked anl the ratepayers in the "inner" area of the Borough have good ground for feeling that the Council's latest decision was not attended with equity and fairness. The Council resolved to adopt the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act in regard to the scale of charges for water, the Act giving power for a charge of not more than seven per cent on the annual rateable value of residences being fixed, with halfrates tor business (non-residential) establishments. Instead, however, of the maximum charge being levied, the Council decided on a charge of five per cent, which coincides with that of most town?. So far bo good, but in resolving to collect such charge from property owners throughout the Borough the Council thereby placed owners of the "outer" portion of the town district on an equal footing with those of the "inner" area, despite the fact that the latter are in addition called upon to pay a special rate on the already existent water loans of between £13,000 and £14,000, not to mention their further liability in respect to the £2BOO loan that is to be voted for on February 3rd. The "inner" area ratepayers have thus a decided grievance as the Council's decision, unless it undergoes alteration, means that whilst they alone pay the piyer others are to benefit at their expense. The course the Council should have followed was either to fix the maximum scale of charge, viz., 7 per cent., for the "outer" district or preferably to consolidate the loans so that the special rate for the same should be paid throughout th 6 Borough. It remains to be seen whether the Council will at their next meeting ; take steps to remedy the effect of their somewhat hasty action. In any cass the subject will again come up for consideration, as Coun. cillor Pollock intends to move tbat the resolution as adopted should be rescinded, bis bone of contention being that only consumers io the "outer" area should pay for water instead of the charge being levied in accordance with the Act on all owners whose properties are within 100 yards of the water main, whether consumers or not. A

general charge on such parties is, however, the usual order of things, seeing that connection with the mains is at their option. Here again, however, the Council's zeal may have overstepped the path of wisdom inasmuch as some of the mains in the "outer" area were laid at the expense of the consumers concerned, and it is theretore open to question whether ouch pipes can be regarded as mains within the meaning of the Act entailing liability for charges to be made for a radius of 100 yards of their proximity. If purely private and cot public mains the adjacent owners are beyond the scop: of the Act, and the Council's intentions will be thereby thwarted in that direction.

On the Bubject of the loan proposal to be submitted to the ratepayers on February 3rd, the Council to a man advised its adoption by the ratepayers, Councillors' opinions are, however, after all only amateur conclusions and the rotepayers would undoubtedly feel more convinced that the situation is serious, as claimed by the Council, if expert advice corroborates the statements tbat water facilities in the town are imperilled as things now stand. In a letter published in these columns the Mayor suggested that, although cot expressly set forth in the report handed to us for publication, the expert (Mr Lockie Gannoo) advised the Council in a confidential letter that the position was seriou?. If that is bo, Burely the Council would be well advised to have such portion of the confidential letter published to that the ratepayers may mark, learn and inwardly digest the same. On another point we doubt if the Council's intentions will be endorsed by the public. We refer to the 'fact that if the ratepayers authorise the loan the proposal of the Council is to construct the new reservoir by the medium of its own staff without supervision by Mr Lockie Cannon or any other qualified engineer. In such a work, and more particularly in the expenditure of public money, expert control should be secured. It is contended by the Council that the Waterworks Foreman is quite competent to carry out the work, but nevertheless the ratepayers would certainly prefer a professional engineer to be put in charge. Then, again, in their advocacy ot the urgency of the loan stress is laid by the Council upon the close and constant attention, night and day, that is now required on the part of the Waterworks Foieman to pumping opeia'ions. In face nf this argument it may well be asked how cuukl the official in question, whose duties are already unduly burdensome, spare the time to superintend and conduct the construction of the new reservoir as proposed.